Volvo V60 VS Audi RS4
Volvo V60
Likes
- Refinement
- Performance
- Practicality
Dislikes
- Economy could be better
- Service pricing
- Front storage question marks
Audi RS4
Likes
- Immense traction
- Easy to drive fast
- Practical, too
Dislikes
- Steering not perfect
- Missing one or two things
- S4 makes better financial sense
Summary
Volvo V60
There’s something about a Volvo wagon. Especially one with Cross Country in its name. City sophistication mixed with the potential for adventurous outdoor pursuits.
Leaning into its all-wheel-drive capability for a cheeky ski weekend with the family. Hooking up the boat and heading to the lake for a spot of fishing. Or seeking out that off-the-beaten-track camping spot you’ve had your eye on.
The V60 Cross Country is made for that family-focused role. Okay, so the Clearys didn’t do much skiing, fishing or camping during a week with this premium mid-sizer. None, actually.
Read more about Volvo
But we did assess its comfort, flexibility, practicality and everything else required to help grease the wheels of day-to-day household life. Stay tuned to see what we discovered.
| Safety rating | |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | 2.0L turbo |
| Fuel Type | — |
| Fuel Efficiency | 7.4L/100km |
| Seating | 5 seats |
Audi RS4
Think about the word ‘functional'. You might notice that there are three letters at the start of the word that people don't often associate with station wagons. That's not the case for the 2018 Audi RS 4.
This isn't your everyday station wagon. It's a hyperbole-generating monster - a family-friendly estate with a licence to punish. Audi goes as far as to suggest that it offers "supercar performance and everyday practicality".
And why wouldn't it? With a bolshie engine, all-wheel drive and more grunt than a pair of conjoined twin hot-hatches, it's a model that has little to prove... especially to those people who appreciate what those precious first three letters can do to improve a drab drive in city traffic.
But there's something that can't be understated about this new-generation RS 4: it isn't like the model that came before it. There's no V8 engine under that shapely bonnet, because of the the new RS 4 isn't like the old one. The V8 is gone... and yes, when I first read that Audi had done the unthinkable and pulled the bahnstorming eight-cylinder screamer in favour of a downsized twin-turbo six I was shocked and horrified.
Without its star attraction, could it still be fun? I don't want to spoil the story, so be sure to read on to find out...
| Safety rating | |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | 4.2L |
| Fuel Type | Premium Unleaded Petrol |
| Fuel Efficiency | 10.7L/100km |
| Seating | 5 seats |
Verdict
Volvo V608/10
The Volvo V60 Cross Country’s split-personality delivers urban civility and all-wheel-drive capability. Our city-slicker week with it confirmed the latter doesn’t compromise the former. It’s sleek and refined, well equipped for the money and safety is top-shelf.
If you have multiple kids creeping up through their teens, you might need something a bit bigger, and ownership costs like fuel economy and servicing, while not tragic, could be better.
Overall though, a thoughtfully engineered, premium mid-size wagon that expertly balances form and function.
Audi RS48.3/10
There is no doubting that the all-new Audi RS 4 is a pragmatic option, probably more so now than ever before. It does the dual-personality thing better than the model that came before it, and perhaps better than anything else at this price point, too.
If you want a practical family wagon that just also happens to be punishingly fast, and you have the budget to consider something like the new Audi RS 4, it should be on your shopping list. And probably towards the top, too.
Are you a fan of fast station wagons? Let us know in the comments section below.
Design
Volvo V60
Full disclosure, I’m a long-time wagon fancier, appreciating their practicality and load capacity combined with easy, low centre-of-gravity driving dynamics. And the V60 Cross Country follows Volvo’s clean-as-a-Scandinavian-whistle design direction.
Soft curves, a gently tapering roofline and the occasional hard character line deliver a fuss-free exterior that’s contemporary and instantly recognisable as a Volvo.
Signature elements like the ‘Thor’s Hammer’ LED headlights, and tall, jagged tail-lights will be familiar to spotters of Swedish cars, and our test example’s classy ‘Thunder Grey’ paint finish enhances the understated, yet premium look.
The V60 Cross Country rides higher than the non-XC models available in other markets (197mm ground clearance vs 142mm) and adds a hint of toughness with dark wheel arch extensions, a chrome frame grille with black bars, high-gloss black side window trim and bright aluminium roof rails.
The interior is similarly understated, yet there’s plenty of visual interest thanks to the multi-layered dash, mixing soft-touch plastics and brushed metal elements with trimmed and stitched insert panels.
A portrait-oriented central multimedia screen and customisable digital instrument cluster add just the right amount of techiness, with a common-sense mix of digital and physical controls attached to various functions.
Speaking of which, the gearshift is “genuine Swedish crystal” made for Volvo by Orrefors. Not my cup of tea, but it’s distinctive.
With chubby, adjustable cushion and backrest bolsters, as well as customisable under thigh support, the front seats look racy but give nothing away in terms of comfort. The rear seats are also neatly contoured and the overall standard of fit and finish is top-shelf.
Audi RS49/10
If you like wagons, you'll totally get it. If you're a hater, or even ambivalent, then you'll probably still get it.
Admittedly it could look even more aggressive, but it has to balance practicality with pouncing killy animal aggression. Even so, I think there's a lot to like here, from the squared-off front and rear quarter panels, the broad (even broader than the regular A4 range, in fact) 'single-frame' grille, and the bejewelled looking LED headlights.
It looks even better from behind, with the broad rear haunches really hunkering it down, and the wide tail-lights and sneaky little fake vents on the side adding extra back-end bulk. Note: the rear light-edge vents may be fake, but the front ones actually work to channel air to cool the brakes.
There are 20-inch wheels in a few different designs, but my personal choice would be the milled aluminium single-piece ones you see on the blue car in these images. They're gorgeous, even if they cost more. And I couldn't not have the signature Nogaro Blue Pearl, which was the same colour as the RS 2 wagon that started the hot wagon thing for Audi... again, at a high price.
Thankfully, I wouldn't need to spend an extra cent inside, because the interior is lush. There are all the typically Audi finishes - it's a high-end and luxurious environment, but with lashings of sporty elements that help it feel almost like a leather tracksuit. Take a look at the pictures of the interior to make up your own mind.
Compared with, say, a regular A4 Avant, the RS 4 Avant is bigger in every way except height. It measures 4781mm long (up 56mm), 1886mm wide (up 44mm) and 1404mm tall (down 30mm). It's quite heavy, too, weighing in at 1800kg, which is about 150kg more than the entry-level wagon.
As good as it looks, I just can't help but think maybe it could have been even more aggressive. The last model certainly had muscle and more macho with its even more angular guards. But maybe the world has moved on a bit, and I'm just not ready for it.
Practicality
Volvo V60
At just under 4.9m long, a fraction over 1.9m wide and 1.5m tall the V60 Cross Country is a ‘large’ medium-sized wagon. And a lengthy 2875mm wheelbase means there’s a generous amount of space inside.
Plenty of breathing room up front but storage is a mixed bag. The (cooled) glove box is a decent size, there’s a lidded box (which doubles as a centre armrest) between the seats, and two big cupholders in the centre console with a sliding lid to cover them. Which is great if you want to hide odds and ends in there, rather than locate a couple of large cappuccinos.
However, in front of that, the wireless charging pad takes up a flat piece of real estate next to the gear shift and another small covered section further up rolls back to reveal an awkward little space that looks like a miniature swimming pool with a 12V socket at the deep end.
The lower front door pockets are long, although sliding even medium-size bottles in them is a bit of a struggle, however there’s a useful secondary space in the centre of the armrest.
Move to the back, and sitting behind the driver’s seat, set for my 183cm position, I enjoyed more than adequate head and legroom.
Our kids, two of which are the same height as me, were rubbing shoulders with their slightly shorter older sister, so three across the rear is do-able for short-to-medium-length trips only. And the pronounced transmission tunnel in front of the centre position makes it the short straw option.
That said, up to mid-teenagers will be fine for the full road trip experience.
There’s adjustable ventilation control at the rear of the front centre console and in the back of the b-pillars, while the fold down centre armrest incorporates a pair of pop-out cupholders. The door bins are decent and there are netted map pockets on the front seat backs.
For in-cabin power and connectivity there are three USB-C sockets in the front (one media, two power-only) and another two in the rear, as well as that hidden 12-volt outlet in the front.
If you’re looking for a wagon, boot space is obviously a priority and the V60 provides 648 litres of volume with all seats upright, growing to 1431L with the 40/20/40 split-folding rear seat lowered.
We were able to load in the large CarsGuide pram, with lots of room to spare, and our three-piece luggage set (36L, 95L and 124L) was also swallowed easily.
A ski-port door in the centre rear backrest increases flexibility (but make sure those long loads are properly secured) and a fold-up cargo divider (with bag hooks on the back) is a thoughtful extra.
There are more shopping bag hooks on both sides of the boot, an extra netted space on the passenger side, a 12V socket and four flip-up anchors to safely tie-down loose loads.
The spare is an 80km/h speed-limited space saver and if you’re into towing, the V60 Cross Country is rated to haul an 1800kg braked trailer.
Also worth noting trailer-stability control is standard. Nice.
Audi RS48/10
This generation of Audi A4, S4 and RS 4 models really puts the flame to the competition in terms of user-friendliness, high-tech execution and style... if not 100 per cent nailing the "wow" factor.
Don't get me wrong, it's still a very, very pleasant place to be. Typically Teutonic, typecast technical Audi, but with some sporty flourishes. The hard-backed sport bucket seats up front offer a great amount of adjustment (though the driver's seat base is a little too high), and depending on what interior trim you opt for, you may see aluminium or carbon finishes throughout.
The quilted leather is lovely, and the materials are all superb - so is the fit and finish. One of the cars I drove had an optional pack with Alcantara trim, with that material covering the shifter and steering wheel - the latter of which I love, because it's smooth yet grippy. I'm not so sold on manual steering adjustment for a car at this price point, however.
With the Audi Virtual Cockpit digital screen spreading 12.3-inches in front of the driver, there's no shortage of info to choose from. It's been around a few years now, but I still love the look of Google Maps in front of me.
There's also Audi's MMI touch system, a rotary dial with a touchpad on top that is pretty simple to use, and it links up to a high-resolution 8.3-inch screen on the dash top. All the connectivity stuff you'd expect is included - Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth phone and audio, DAB+ digital radio, and an inbuilt hard-drive for your own music storage. You won't be left wanting for entertainment.
There are reasonably good sized cup holders up front, a covered centre console, some loose-item storage areas and adequate bottle holders in all four doors. The back seat has mesh map pockets (set on hard plastic seatbacks - good for limited damage to fabric if you have children who like to kick the seat) and a flip-down armrest with cupholders.
Space in the rear is easily good enough for a six-foot (183cm) tall adult like myself to slot behind someone of the same size, with ample kneeroom, good toe room and enough headroom to ensure no hairs were out of place. The width is surprisingly decent, too.
There are dual ISOFIX child-seat anchor points, and three top-tether attachments as well. And parents (and children alike) will appreciate the rear air vents, and three-zone climate control system that allows a seperate temperature in the back.
The boot is a good size, with 505 litres of capacity up to the multifunctional luggage cover (which includes an integrated mesh cargo barrier and operates electronically in conjunction with the boot lid). It also has a reversible floor section - carpet one side, plastic on the other - perfect for tying down wet clothes (using the included mesh elasticated web net) or even performing potentially messy nappy changes. The boot expands to 1510L with the seats down.
Price and features
Volvo V60
At $60,490, before on-road costs, the Volvo V60 Cross Country sits in the middle of three broadly comparable competitors - the Peugeot 508 GT Sportwagon ($65,657), Subaru Outback Touring ($55,990) and Volkswagen’s Passat Alltrack 162TSI Premium ($62,790).
A ‘civilian’ V60 is offered in other markets, in front- and all-wheel drive, powered by a variety of petrol and diesel engines. But the higher riding, all-wheel-drive Cross Country variant is the single choice here.
Hence the alignment with similarly priced ‘soft-roaders’ like the Outback and Passat Alltrack.
The $60K threshold is a pretty significant one, and at that money you have every right to expect a lengthy standard equipment list. And the V60 XC delivers.
Aside from the safety and performance tech covered separately, this five-seat wagon features a head-up display, 9.0-inch central multimedia screen (with touch or voice control), 12-inch driver display, leather-accented trim, four-zone climate control, a heated steering wheel, keyless entry and start, Apple CarPlay, 10-speaker 220W audio (with digital radio), multi-adjustable electric front seats (with two-position memory on both sides) plus heated seats (front and rear).
Then there’s ‘Google built-in’ for four years (Google Assistant, Google Maps, Google Play and more), adaptive cruise control, auto LED headlights, 19-inch five-spoke alloy rims and a power tailgate. A solid package for the money.
Our test example had several options lavished upon it in the shape of a 15-speaker, 1410W Bowers and Wilkins premium audio ($4200), perforated Nappa leather-accented interior trim ($3150), front seat massage function ($1100) and tinted rear windows ($750).
At an as-tested price of $78,690 the V60 starts to rub shoulders with premium players like the Audi A4 Avant 45 TFSI Quattro S Line MHEV ($78,200), but even then the value equation stacks up well.
Audi RS48/10
The new twin-turbo V6 model is priced at $152,900 plus on-road costs, which represents a slight hike over its V8-powered predecessor, but Audi claims to have added $22,000 of extra equipment.
Standard inclusions offered in the RS4 consist of 20-inch alloy wheels, red RS brake calipers, an adjustable sports exhaust system, Audi's sport differential, adaptive sports suspension, LED headlights with LED daytime running lights, adaptive rear LED indicators and tinted rear windows with acoustic front glass.
Standard interior kit includes Audi's 'Virtual Cockpit' 12.3-inch driver info screen with configurable RS display mode, an 8.3-inch tablet media screen with sat nav, Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto phone mirroring, DAB+ digital radio, and a stonking 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo system.
The front sports seats with Nappa leather trim and honeycomb quilting (which apparently mirrors the design of the grille mesh) also feature bolster adjustment, massage function, memory settings for the driver's seat and electric adjustment and heating for both sides. There is an ambient-lighting system with 30 different colour options, too.
A panoramic sunroof is fitted as standard, but for hot areas of the country it can be deleted if the buyer so chooses. Smart key entry and push-button start is standard, and there's an auto tailgate with gesture control.
Even though that list is long, there are still option boxes you can choose to tick. Things like the carbon and black styling pack ($11,900), the 'Technik Pack' (with head-up display, Matrix LED headlights, wireless phone charging - $3900) and other style-focused extras like the 20-inch milled aluminium wheels ($1600). There are several colour options to choose, including the Misano Red pearl finish ($1846), or the brilliant 'Nogaro Blue Pearl' ($5450)... but not all the colours cost money, with a selection available at no cost.
See below for the extensive safety kit list - because it's hugely lengthy!
As for where the competitors sit, the Mercedes-AMG C63 S wagon lists a little higher, at $159,711 plus on-roads. There's no BMW M3 wagon, but the sedan version is $141,610 plus costs... and it's the only one with manual or auto to choose from. There's no Lexus, Infiniti or Volvo equivalent model. But I guess you could consider the S4 a good alternative at $50,000 less, and it's available as a sedan or a wagon...
Under the bonnet
Volvo V60
The V60 is powered by a 2.0-litre, all-alloy, four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine producing 183kW (from 5400-5700rpm) and 350Nm (between 1800-4800rpm).
Drive goes to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission then a computer controlled Haldex AWD system built around a high-pressure hydraulic pump and multi-plate transfer clutch pack.
The B in the car’s designation stands for ‘Battery Charging System’ because it features a starter/generator unit in place of a conventional starter motor.
The set-up recovers kinetic energy from vehicle braking and stores it in a small 48V battery.
The system is then able to pull power from the generator, assisting the engine with a 10kW/40Nm boost, especially when starting off from rest and under acceleration.
It also helps power the standard stop-start function and deliver relatively modest fuel consumption and emissions reductions.
But the main benefit of this type of ‘mild-hybrid’ arrangement is improved drivability, which we’ll get to in the ‘Driving’ section.
Audi RS49/10
This isn't the first time the Audi RS 4 has had a twin-turbo V6 engine under its bonnet. Back in 2000, the very first RS 4 launched with a 2.7-litre biturbo engine.
This all-new model has a 2.9-litre twin-turbo unit, which shares much with the Audi S4 and S5 models (they run a 3.0-litre turbo - the engine in the RS 4 is a smaller capacity and has a shorter stroke, but adds a turbo over the lesser S models).
It's no V8, however. The most recent model before this one had a 4.2-litre naturally aspirated unit with 331kW of power and 430Nm of torque.
This new version carries over the same power output - 331kW - but it hits between 5700-6700rpm, not at 8250rpm like the old V8. And torque has seen a substantial kick up the behind, now rated at 600Nm.
Not only has torque increased by about 45 per cent, it's also across a broader rev range - now it spans 1900-5000rpm, where it was not only lower but shorter-lived and less usable in the V8 (4000-6000rpm).
And the all important 0-100km/h time? It's now at 4.1 seconds, where it used to be 4.7sec. The top speed remains identical - 250km/h.
What about the sound, though? Read the driving section below... or better yet, watch the video!
Efficiency
Volvo V60
Volvo’s official fuel economy number for the combined (ADR 81/02 - urban, extra-urban) cycle is 7.4L/100km, the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four emitting 168g/km of CO2 in the process.
Over a week of city, suburban, and some freeway running we averaged 10.1L/100km, which is acceptable rather than spectacular for a 1.8-tonne five-seat wagon.
Worth noting the standard stop-start system is one of the best, thanks to the efficiency of the 48-volt starter/generator, its operation is seamless.
Minimum fuel requirement is 95 RON premium unleaded and you’ll need 60 litres of it to fill the tank.
Using the official number, that translates to a range of around 810km, which drops to just under 600km using our real-world figure.
Audi RS48/10
Fuel consumption for the 2018 Audi RS 4 is rated at 8.9 litres per 100 kilometres, which is fairly good for a vehicle with this much propulsion potential. CO2 emissions are rated at 202g/km.
Both of those are big improvements over the V8 that preceded it - the claimed consumption was 10.7L/100km and emissions were 249g/km.
But it's worth noting that Mercedes-AMG has the C63 wagon with a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 that has more power (375kW) and torque (700Nm) yet uses less fuel (8.7L/100km).
Driving
Volvo V60
Volvo claims the V60 Cross Country will accelerate from 0-100km/h in 6.9 seconds, and it feels every bit that quick behind the wheel.
This mid-size wagon might weigh in at a fairly chonky 1.8 tonnes, but its engine delivers peak torque (pulling power) all the way from 1800-4800rpm, which means there’s plenty of oomph lurking under your right foot across the mid-range.
Yet that urgency isn’t manic. The drive is civilised and commendably quiet, thanks in part to active noise control cancelling out unwanted frequencies.
Suspension is by double wishbones at the front and multi-links at the rear, the latter featuring a composite transverse leaf spring rather than more commonly used coils.
The result is impressive ride comfort, even over rutted and pock-marked urban roads.
Steering feel is good, the adaptive assistance system seamlessly adjusting the weight from agreeably light at parking speeds to appreciably heavier on the highway. And despite its increased elevation the V60 Cross Country remains balanced and predictable on a twisting b-road.
Braking is by (345mm) vented discs at the front, with (320mm) solid rotors at the rear and stopping power is strong, yet progressive.
The configurable head-up display is a welcome inclusion and an 11.3m turning circle (not to mention a clear reversing camera and 360-degree view) makes parking and similarly tight manoeuvres a stress-free undertaking.
Volvo has thoroughly thought through in-cabin ergonomics. The previously mentioned mix of physical and on-screen controls works well, and the availability of touchscreen or voice control for various functions is a big plus.
Walking through the screens and sub-menus in the central multimedia screen is quick and intuitive.
And even though we didn’t hit the great outdoors in this test, for those who regularly do, the V60 Cross Country’s clearance angles are, approach - 17 degrees, breakover - 18.4 degrees and departure - 22.4 degrees.
Audi RS48/10
It only took three corners for me to feel 100 per cent comfortable with the controls of the Audi RS 4. Some cars may take a few minutes before you become accustomed to how the throttle, brakes and steering want to be used, but it was mere seconds in this case.
That's because of the outright predictability of the RS 4 - it's hard to set a foot wrong, with excellent throttle response, strong but progressive braking, and better steering than I've experience in any Audi outside of the R8. It's not perfect - there's still a little bit of deadness or stickiness on centre - but I like the way it helps you pivot the car and apply lock at pace, thanks to nice weighting and resistance. The steering is light when you want it, and hefty when you need it.
The adaptive dampers and 20-inch wheels can't totally divorce the road surface from the bodies of the occupants in the cabin, and over patchy surfaces the ride can be a little pitchy, even in the Comfort setting.
But those dampers help stiffen the chassis up in Sport mode, negating body roll brilliantly. That, combined with the traction of the excellent quattro all-wheel drive system with a self-locking centre differential, and the grip of the Continental tyres makes for a really enjoyable way to cut through a series of corners.
Of course there are electronic helpers underneath, including a torque-vectoring-by-braking system and torque-splitting rear differential that pushes load to where it's needed most - but unless you had a screen in front of you telling when they were being used you wouldn't know. It all just feels really natural in the way it handles itself.
Now, that engine.
No, it isn't a V8, but what it is is a powerhouse weapon. It's still rev-happy, and the transmission allows it to be that way: in Dynamic mode with the shifter in S (not D) there is a brilliant willingness to the way it hangs on to gears - through a series of sweeping corners, getting on and off the throttle and brake pedal respectively, it had incredible intuition - third gear was the most usable, and gave the most, too.
The engine's sound isn't as visceral as the V8 of its predecessor, but it isn't what I'd call dull. There's a nice bit of chortle on the overrun, and it sounds pretty menacing when you punch the go pedal.
In normal driving, too, it's well suited to regular duties. It just so happens that its great at going fast, which is what you want from an RS model.
Safety
Volvo V60
A quick game of automotive word association must surely pair safety with Volvo, and it’s no surprise the V60 Cross Country was awarded a maximum five-star ANCAP rating in 2019.
In the intervening four years ANCAP’s assessment criteria have become stricter, but that doesn’t mean this car has fallen off the pace when it comes to active (crash avoidance) tech.
For a start, its AEB system (with forward collision warning) operates from four to 250km/h, with pedestrian and cyclist detection in play up to 80km/h.
There’s also ‘Intersection Collision and Oncoming Mitigation with Brake Support’, ‘Steering Support’, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, blind-spot warning (with cross-traffic alert), ‘Front and Rear Collision Warning’ (with mitigation support), hill start assist, hill descent control and a reversing camera with 360-degree camera view.
Then, there’s rear cross-traffic alert (with auto brake), ‘Park Assist Pilot’ (for parallel and perpendicular spaces), tyre pressure monitoring, automatic rain-sensing wipers, auto adaptive headlights, ‘Emergency Brake Assist’ and ‘Emergency Brake Light’.
But if an impact is unavoidable there are six airbags on board (driver and front passenger - front and side, plus full-length side curtains).
Missing is the increasingly common front centre bag designed to minimise head clash injuries in a side impact.
There are three top-tether points for child seats/baby capsules across the second row, with ISOFIX anchors on the two outer positions.
An active bonnet increases the distance between it and hard parts underneath to minimise injuries in a pedestrian impact, while multi-collision brake controls the car post-crash to lessen the chance of secondary collisions.
Audi RS49/10
There is no model-specific Audi RS 4 Avant crash-test rating, but the Audi A4 (four-cylinder) range managed the maximum five-star EuroNCAP / ANCAP test score in 2015.
Rest assured, though, the RS 4 has a lot of standard equipment.
The standard safety equipment list includes Audi's pre-sense front system with auto emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection (which works up to 85km/h), plus a 360-degree camera with reversing camera and front and rear parking sensors. Plus the traffic-jam assist system, which debuted in 2015 on the Q7 and uses two radars to read the road ahead - even scanning in front of the car directly in front of you.
There's active lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, turn assist (which will stop you from driving through an intersection if the car doesn't think you'll make it), auto high-beam lights, rear cross-traffic alert (with audible, visual and physical notification - it can jolt the brakes if you aren't paying attention), multi-collision braking (which will stop the car if you have an accident to prevent further mishap).
There's also Audi's clever "exit warning system" that will flash the ambient lights if an occupant is about to open their door into the path of oncoming cars or cyclists.
The RS 4 has eight airbags (dual front, front side, rear side and full-length curtains).
Ownership
Volvo V60
The V60 Cross Country is covered by Volvo’s five year/unlimited km warranty, which is the current industry standard, with eight years roadside assistance as part of the deal.
Recommended service interval is 12 months/15,000km and Volvo offers capped-price servicing over three- or five-year periods.
Three years comes in at $1750 (an average of $583 annually) and five years is set at $3000 ($600 annual average).
Not over the top, but not exactly cheap, either. However, the set price means you can fold maintenance costs into a finance package if you’re purchasing the car that way.
Audi RS47/10
Audi covers all of its models with a three-year/unlimited kilometre warranty plan, which, by market standards is starting to look a little low, but in the premium part of the market, not many brands do much better.
As for servicing costs, it's a bit of a guessing game. The entire RS model range, as well as the R8 supercar, isn't covered by the same Audi Genuine Care pre-purchase setup you can get on a regular (non RS) model. That plan covers three years/45,000km of maintenance, and in the case of the A4/S4, the cost is $1620. Expect more than that for the RS 4.